Truth Magazine

By James E. Cooper

Man is a “praying animal.” Prayer, in the sense of a conscious effort to hold communion with deity, is universal. Even those who have denied the existence of God have been known to breathe a prayer in extreme circumstances. One of the most encouraging statements in the Bible is that “the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Pet. 3:12). And one of the most solemn warnings to be found anywhere is contained in the same verse: “but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

Why Pray?

1. God is a Personal Being. Prayer involves personal communication with a Personal Being. It implies that there is a Being who hears, thinks, feels and wills; yet He is omniscient, holy and gracious. Those who suppose God is a figment of human imagination, slowly developed as man ascended the evolutionary scale, declare that it is useless to pray, for there is no God to hear their prayers. David pronounced the man with this attitude to be a fool (Psa. 14:1), for there is sufficient evidence in nature alone to convince the right-thinking person that God is (Psa. 19:1-4). Without faith that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, one cannot please God (Heb. 11:6).

2. God is able to answer prayer. The omnipotent God who was able to bring heaven and earth into existence by the power of His utterance (Heb. 11:3; Psa. 33:6); to make men out of stones (Matt. 3:9; cf. Gen. 2:7); to deliver His servants from the fire (Dan. 3:17); to raise the dead (Heb. 11:19); and to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28), is certainly “able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).

3. God is willing to answer prayer. God has a very sympathetic ear. In I Peter 3:12, we have God pictured with His ears literally “into (eis) the petitions of the righteous.” “What a picture of God bending down to their petitions, eager to answer them and come to the aid of those who pray. We have no far off deity to make propitious. We do not have to plead with God to make Him willing to answer our prayers. He is more desirous of answering them than we are to have them answered” (Kenneth S. Wuest, First Peter in the Greek New Testament, p. 87).

Does God Really Answer Prayer?

Peter encouraged Christians to be a united, loving and compassionate people – in short, to be a blessing to others: “knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (I Pet. 3:9). He then quoted Psalm 34:12-16. The person who would enjoy life to the fullest must avoid those things that could cause God to turn His face against him. Instead, he should “do good . . . seek peace, and pursue it” (Psa. 34: 10-11). Peter applies the Psalmist’s words in a most appropriate fashion. One of the blessings to be enjoyed is the assurance that God does hear and answer the prayers of the righteous (cf. Prov. 15:29; Psa. 145:18).

Open your Bible and read Psalm 34 in its entirety. David declared God had heard his prayers. In response to prayer, God had delivered him from his fears (v. 4), and had saved him out of his troubles (v. 6). God delivers the righteous out of all his afflictions (v. 19), and redeems his soul (v. 22). Urging all to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” David pronounces a blessing upon the man that trusts in Him (v. 8), and assures us that “there is no want in them that fear Him” (v. 9). “They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing” (v. 10).

Do you believe God really does that? Today? Does He really act in response to our prayers? The Bible says He does. James said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Jas. 1:5). There are conditions to be met, of course. “Let him ask in faith, nothing doubting. For he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man unstable in all his ways” (Jas. 1:6-8). In the latter part of James 5:16, we read that “the supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its workings.”

Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10). In the contexts of these two passages, we find Jesus illustrating God’s willingness to answer persistent prayer. A man will grant his son’s request: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt. 7:11). He also illustrated prayer by the persistence of a man who at midnight asks his friend to lend him three loaves of bread so he could feed a house guest who had just arrived from a long journey (Luke 11:5-9). Jesus taught that God will respond to prayer.

Is God Any Different Today?

Is God different today from what He was in David’s day? Is He different from what He was when our Lord was upon earth? Is He no longer interested in His children? Does He no longer work on our behalf? One man argued with me that it is useless to ask God to do anything in response to prayer today. His contention was that God’s “last will and testament” has been revealed; therefore, God doesn’t have a will to be influenced by our prayers. But, my friend, God “is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb. 12:8). He has always had an immutable will (Heb. 6:17-18), but declares that His actions change in response to changes in men. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:7).

Is God indifferent to His people today? No! Peter declared that His eyes are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers. God has not changed His attitude, nor His inclination to hear the prayers of the righteous. He has not abandoned His children. We are taught that He will continue to work on our behalf. “Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?” (Heb. 13:5-6).

Should We Expect A Miracle Today?

Is it necessary to believe God will work a miracle today in order to believe He really does answer prayer? Many seem to have the opinion that prayer is either answered miraculously or not at all. However, we need not expect to see a miracle today. God can work through His natural laws, as well as He can suspend and overpower them to work miracles.

Miracles were never performed merely to accommodate the desires and needs of man, but were signs to confirm the truth of God. The signs performed by Jesus were performed and recorded that men might “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (Jn. 20:30-31). What Jesus taught was further “confirmed to us by them that heard; God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (Heb. 2:3-4). Miracles served a temporary purpose, to bear witness to God’s revelation (cf. Mk. 16:17-20; Acts 2:33; Acts 10:47; 1 Cor. 14:22). Paul taught that knowing and prophesying were “in part,” but they would be “done away” when the complete revelation (“that which is perfect”) was come (1 Cor. 13:8-10). Miracles served their purpose and have ceased.

God does not have to suspend the laws of nature in order to answer prayer. He can answer by working through the natural forces and processes which operate in the natural world, but which are still under His control. When James affirmed that “the supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working,” he gave an illustration to help us understand it. “Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again: and the heavens gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit” (Jas. 5:17-18). Elijah is not pictured as a super-human, even though he was an outstanding prophet of God. He was “a man of like passions with us.” Insofar as God’s answering his prayer, he was an ordinary man. The efficacy of prayer does not require a specially endowed p son. It is a blessing available to ordinary men, like you and me.

From 1 Kings 18:41-46, we learn how God answered Elijah’s prayer. After he had prayed seven times, a cloud appeared out over the Mediterranean Sea “like a man’s hand,” and the rain came out of that cloud. If it had rained out of a clear sky, we could it a miracle. But since God brought up a cloud to produce the rain, we recognize this as an act of God’s Providence – His control of the natural forces operating in His created universe.

Conclusion

God always answers prayer. We know and sometimes ask for harmful things, but He knows what is best. Sometimes He grants our petitions, and somethimes He denies them. Paul prayed three times that his “thorn the flesh” might be removed (2 Cor. 12:8), but God had something better for him. May we be content to submit when God says “No” as well as when he says “Yes.”

“In nothing be anxious: but in everything by prayer supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be in known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth understanding, shall guard your hearts and your in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

God Answers Prayer

I asked God for strength,

That I might achieve —
I was made weak,
That I might learn to obey.

I asked for help,
That I might do greater things —
I was given infirmity,
That I might do better things.

I asked for riches,
That I might be happy —
I was given poverty,
That I might be wise.

I asked for all things,
That I might enjoy life.
I was given life,
That I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
But everything I had hoped for.
Despite myself,
My prayers were answered.
I am among all men
Most richly blessed.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, pp. 617-618
October 18, 1984

By Joel Plunkett

In Genesis 22:1 we are told that God tempted Abraham, yet James says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God. . .” (Jas. 1: 13). Do these two verses contradict each other, or can they be harmonized?

When we understand that the primary meaning of temptation is to prove or test as in the case of Abraham, then we can understand God’s testing or giving His people opportunity to prove their faithfulness. It would be extremely difficult for us to mature without some form of test. The secondary meaning of temptation is to entice as used in James 1:13. Hence, God does not entice His people to do evil but does allow them opportunity to express their spiritual maturity. If we are to overcome both the tests of God and the enticements of the devil, it is mandatory that we understand temptation.

Three Categories of Temptation

Temptations or trials may be placed into three broad categories. The first category may be referred to as hereditary temptations. By this, we mean those tests that come upon us because of our commitment to God and His holiness. Immediately after He was baptized, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Unlike Lot, He did not choose the well-watered wilderness and pitch his tent in that direction, but He followed the direction of the Spirit. Likewise, trials will come upon us when we take up our cross and follow Christ. We inherit these temptations when we place our mind, soul, and body at the feet of the crucified One.

The second category of temptations are environmental. These are trials that come upon us because we are in the world. In Romans 12:2 Paul says, “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” When the child of God accepts the challenge to live in this world and to let the mind of Christ dwell in him, then he will be tempted. Let us remember we are not thermometers that reflect the world in which we live, but our Master requires us to serve as thermostats, altering the evil environment. We have not caused or asked for these trials, but we should neither fear nor try to avoid them. They will always be present and we must overcome them.

Unlike the first two categories, the third category of temptations is self-inflicted. These temptations will be dealt with in detail in the remainder of this article. They are the result of foolish or immature decisions on our part in failing to discern between good and evil. In Genesis 13, we find Lot in an ungodly city that vexed his soul, but let us remember that it was a city of his own choosing. Many of God’s people today are living in tormenting conditions because they, like Lot, have taken from the proverbial shelf that which looked good, felt good, or made them look good for a very, very short season. The best of God’s people, like David, have failed to “pull down their window shades” when women in the world, like Bathsheba, fail to “use their shades.” These temptations we are to fear and avoid, because they will destroy our own souls and taint the church of the living God. The wise man expressed this precise idea in Proverbs 4:14-15. “Enter not unto the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away.” The word of God teaches that we are in grave danger when we dally or flirt with either sin or the sinner.

1. When are God’s people guilty of flirting with sin? 1. When we marry a worldly person in spite of the warning signals (1 Cor. 15:33).

2. When we consume a daily diet of adultery, humanism, and materialism on our televisions, in magazines and in our reading material (Prov. 23:7).

3. When adultery, fornication and all uncleanness become so common that it no longer vexes our souls and we tease or joke about it (Eph. 5:12).

4. When the music that entertains us speaks constantly about getting high, losing our self-control, or “if loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right” (Gal. 5:21).

5. When we allow children to wear less on the street than they do in their bedroom at night (1 Tim. 2:9).

6. When our friends and our children’s friends are not only in the world but are worldly-minded (Jas. 4:4).

7. When we allow our children to forsake the services for work, ball games, and school affairs (Matt. 6:33).

8. When we allow our teenagers to sit in the back of the building and talk or write notes during the services (Acts 10:33).

9. When we fail to keep our marriage vows daily, and we let our mate feel that he or she is of little or no value to us (Eph. 5:21-33).

10. When we allow our conversation to be punctuated with crude or gutter language (Col. 3:8).

In Proverbs 14:9 Solomon says, “Fools make a mock at sin.” Brethren, only a fool would do so! Let us remember that while Peter was warming his hands around the enemies’ fire, his heart grew cold and he denied our Lord. May God give us the wisdom to identify the enemies’ fire and avoid it.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, pp. 627, continued on pg. 626
October 18, 1984

By Larry Ray Hafley

When one is delivered from the dominion of darkness and from the domain of the Devil, he is separated from this present evil world and translated or transported into the kingdom of Christ (Col.1:13). This spiritual transaction is the result of the gospel. Its work is within the heart and conscience. Consequently, the kingdom of Christ knows no artificial or arbitrary boundaries. Mighty mountains and sprawling seas are bridged and spanned by the moral message, and the spiritual power of God, the gospel. Due to the universal range and scope of the gospel, there are no barriers of race, culture or country that impede the character, influence or destiny of the kingdom of God.

Emperors of the earth base their authority in armies. Their reigns are initiated with great pomp and perpetuated by physical might. But the kingdom of Christ was born in weakness, spawned in shame, founded near His grace and bought with His blood. A moral and spiritual kingdom over hearts that are convicted, converted, and comforted forbids attack and assault by the arsenals of men. Kings have long sought security behind impregnable walls and impenetrable fortresses, but all have been overcome. No force, however, has ever moved the foundation of Jesus Christ, and no weapon has ever shaken or cracked the walls of His kingdom “which cannot be moved.”

A kingdom is measured, in part, by the character of its king. Thus, the kingdom of God’s dear Son shall stand forever. The King of kings and Lord of lords withstood every fierce and fiery force which sought to overthrow His position and power. The price of the power of the air hurled the might and muscle of temptation, sin and death at King Jesus, but He deftly avoided every arrow. His armor blunted every blow. In the throes of agony, he descended into the depths of death, wrenched open the bars of the dungeon of darkness, and fanned the flame of life eternal. Stepping forth from the grave, He grasped the torch of righteousness, abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:20).

The mighty power of God that raised and released Him also inaugurated and coronated Him at the throne of the majesty on high. Now He sits. Now He reigns as angels, authorities, principalities and powers are beneath the scepter and sphere of His eternal power and Godhead. Are you a citizen of this kingdom? You must be subject to the gospel before you can be a subject the kingdom. From His kingly throne, based on the integrity of His mediatorial priesthood, Jesus announces and pronounces the terms and conditions of citizenship in His holy, heavenly kingdom. And what are the terms? Essentially, it is this: unconditional surrender – no enemy, no alien is allowed access who will not renounce and denounce every other oath and allegiance (Lk. 6:46; 9:23). “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaver; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

Will you accept and obey that will? Your eternal destiny sways in the balance. Then, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, you will meet the Lord in the air, go down the hallway of eternity, sweeping through the portals of paradise, and be ushered into His presence to praise His name during that endless day. What a glad hope! What a grand and great expectation! Obey the gospel, serve Him faithfully and enjoy the bliss of that everlasting kingdom forever and ever.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, p. 624
October 18, 1984

By Maurice W. Jackson, Jr.

“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of Jehovah” (Psa. 122:1). Whether these are the words of David, or of some other, they are Holy Spirit guided, and express an attitude worthy of God’s people today.

Such joy is rare! The multitudes that never worship at all prove it. Even among the Lord’s people there are those who worship as seldom as possible, and some not at all. Can it be said of all who worship regularly that they go gladly? Could it be that a mere sense of duty, maintaining a spiritual reputation, a desire to please family and friends, to avoid a lashing conscience, to escape reproof, simply to set an example, or only the force of habit motivates many to attend the worship services today?

Modern Day Solutions

In our society when a business falters, solutions are sought through human innovations that excite and create renewed interest. A new approach to sales technique is initiated. Make the product more appealing as respects color, size, shape, etc. Promote an unusual sale, make better claims , offer a sweepstake, or a bonus reward. In short, simply out do the competition by redressing the externals.

All of this may be acceptable in secular affairs, but is this the procedure for creating a joyful spirit of worship in modern man? Preachers and church leaders in many places seem to think that the answer is “Yes! ” Innovative worship services which catch the eyes and ears of the worshipers, stimulating curiosity, excitement and departure from the norm are adopted. Purpose: Increase interest, and supposedly, create a joyful spirit of worship.

We suggest that such an approach puts the cart before the horse. A joyful spirit of worship is not created by altering the externals of the worship service to arouse the worshiper, but to alter the worshiper through teaching, to fit into and enjoy the Divine plan of worship. We must appeal to the New Testament as our pattern, not to modern innovations concocted by human ingenuity.

New Testament Worshipers

“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). This is how the early Christians functioned when they gathered together to worship God. This is how the Holy Spirit guided apostles directed. This same worship is what God wants from 20th century Christians.

That they were characterized with a joyful spirit of worship is seen, not only in what they did, but also in the interest and zeal that characterized the individual Christians. What a spirit of joy they must have felt when they learned that all they had to do to be forgiven of having rejected and crucified the Son of God, was to believe that He was the Christ, and upon repentance of their sins, be baptized for the remission of them (Acts 2:37-41). It was this spirit of joy that led them to receive the Word, complying with its teaching! As the King James says: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” Their unity of action brought them together in a spirit of joy. “And all that believed were together” (Acts 2:44). They willingly and sacrificially helped the needy among them. “They sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all according as any man had need” (Acts 2:45). In Acts 2:46 we read: “And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple is further evidence of the joyful spirit that captivated those early Christians. As these saints praised God in their spirit of joy, the populous of Jerusalem perceived it and granted their favor (Acts 2:46). The key to their joyful spirit was a clear awareness of what the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit had done for them, and that their response was to love God back, guided by the will of God revealed by the inspired apostles. It created in them a spirit of joy to know, not only that they could please God, but how they could do so. It was a joy which they realized filled the need of the human spirit! This same awareness today will create, in those who are conscientious, a joyful spirit of worship.

Hindrances

There are other factors that can dull the edge of joy in worshiping God. How could those at Corinth, who had lawsuits one with another, worship together with a truly joyful spirit? In their perverted attempt to eat the Lord’s supper, those who had not were put to shame. Such distinctions among themselves surely hindered a joyful spirit of worship in those who were left out. The state of confusion (chapter 14), which evidently existed in the worship assembly at Corinth, served to hinder the proper spirit of worship. The doctrinal differences of chapter fifteen did the same.

Brethren who are alienated from each other cannot worship together in a genuine spirit of joy. How can one go to the worship assembly with a joyful spirit when there is division, backbiting, and an atmosphere of coldness prevailing in the congregation? Sermons that are entirely too long, mote picking, faultfinding, hobby riding preachers who think more highly of themselves than they ought to think, hinder a joyful spirit of worship in the hearers. We understand that error must be opposed and exposed, and that gospel preaching is pointed and direct, but folks do not have to be clubbed nearly to death with every sermon!) Song leaders who seem to never be satisfied with the response they get from the worshippers can kill a joyful spirit of worship. Song leaders who ought to be in the pew, rather than before the congregation, can do the same. Who can enjoy worshipping God in song when they are constantly rebuked for some insignificant shortcoming, or the song service is dead-as-a-door-nail? Men who lead the prayers in the congregation should be ever conscious that they are to lead the minds of the worshippers as they pray. Prayers that are too long, repetitious, rambling, or inaudible hinder the joy of worship.

When knowledgeable brethren can only expect attending worship that borders on fanfare, or fanaticism, mere ritual or formalism, confusion and discord, or a funeral-like service, then their joyful spirit of worship ebbs toward an all time low!

Worship In Spirit And Truth

Jesus told the woman of Samaria: “True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth.” In fact, He said: “They that worship him (the Father) must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23,24). In these few words Jesus told her (and us) how all true worshippers must worship.

The New Testament tells us how the early Christians worshipped. It is our duty to duplicate what they were told to do. Only when we do so do we worship in truth (i.e. according to the teaching of the truth of God). We must learn to be satisfied with, and to enjoy, worshipping God in God’s way.

The Lord’s Supper. The first century church met on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7). This consisted of eating unleavened bread and drinking the fruit of the vine. This was as Jesus directed (Matt. 26:26-29). The elements represented the body and blood of Christ. As they ate, their minds went back to the cross. They remembered how, through His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, Jesus had rescued them from eternal condemnation and that He promised to come again and save the redeemed. This breaking of bread brought the early church together and kept them secured to the heart and core of the gospel story. So it does for Christians today. This supreme sacrifice of our Lord motivates us to have a joyful spirit of worship as we eat the Lord’s supper every first day of the week.

Prayer. Prayer always characterized the assemblies of the first century church. In 1 Corinthians 14:15 the early church was instructed to pray, and to do so in a way that all present could hear and understand. In their prayers they praised God, expressed thanksgiving to him, and made requests for his continued blessings. They prayed for the spread of the gospel, and for strength and boldness to speak the Word. Prayers for each other, and for others, were made. “Prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him” (Peter). (See Acts 12:5; see also Acts 4:21-3 1; 1 Tim. 2:1,2.) They prayed to God in response to their needs, confident that God would hear and answer. The privilege of prayer gave them a spirit of genuine joy. Christians today experience that same joy for the same reasons.

Singing. The early Christians were instructed to sing with the spirit and with the understanding as they worshipped together (1 Cor. 14:15). Singing was not only to praise God, but also to teach and admonish one another. So they sang psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and that without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Singing in worship was, and is, an overt manifestation of a joyful spirit.

Preaching and Teaching. In their gatherings, the early saints heard God’s word preached and taught. It was done in an orderly fashion, that all might be edified (1 Cor. 14:4, 26-33). Paul, on one occasion, prolonged his speech until midnight (Acts 20:7). Those, then and now, who are interested in God’s word anticipated with great joy the gathering of the saints to hear taught and preached the great truths of the gospel. Recently a good brother told me how the teaching and preaching of God’s word had helped him in his daily life, and that he looked forward to every assembly. He has a joyful spirit of worship!

Giving. Laying by in store, as one may prosper, was a part of the first day of the week assembling of the early Christians (1 Cor. 16:1,2). This was done in order to help needy saints, and to further the work of the church in evangelizing the world, and the perfecting of the saints. The people of God realize that, in this way, they can have a part in the greatest work on earth – the saving of the souls of men and women. This not only gives one a joyful (cheerful) spirit, but satisfies the heart’s desire of all who are Christ-like (2 Cor. 9:6,7; 1 Cor. 9:6-14).

No doubt there are some among God’s people who even dread the worship service. We have discussed some of the things that contribute to this. All such hindrances should be removed. Christians are to look forward, with a joyful spirit to the assembling of themselves together (Heb. 10:25). They should enjoy each other’s company, seek to bear each other’s burdens, show a fervent love one for the other and realize a sense of community in assembling together with a joyful spirit of worshiping God. Then will our gatherings be a time of refreshment and a source of strength for daily living. God will be pleased and glorified. Heaven is the great reward!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, pp. 619, 630
October 18, 1984